Brick Walls: the Sheriff

By Nancy Baker-Dansby and Carl A. Baker

Greed, revenge, and general mendacity leave Sheriff Brick Walls and his deputies on new and dangerous encounters in this second book of the Brick Walls series. Upon becoming sheriff of Medina County, Texas, Brick Walls begins a new phase in his life. Being an Iraqi War veteran, Brick had looked death in the eye numerous times. And now his new career as sheriff of the county, which he grew up in, once again puts him in harms way. Who is stalking Brick, and is it related to the suitcase full of money his dog, Red, found two years ago?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524669881

Nancy Baker-Dansby

Carl A. Baker was born in Michigan, attended Michigan State University, and is a combat veteran of WWII, serving in the Pacific. His stories reflect the sometimes combustible mixture of greed and chance that so often compels people to take the risks that they do. Carl lives in Texas with his wife, Betty. They have five daughters. Nancy Baker-Dansby was born in Michigan, has a MS in education from Texas A&M at Commerce and a MBA from Amber University at Dallas. She is the author of a children’s book, WHERE DO YOU LIVE? She also collaborated with her father on his first book, BRICK WALLS. Nancy and her husband, Mike, live in Texas.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The hot Texas sun was slowly rising in the east over the county of Medina. Brick’s old white truck was kicking up dust as he drove down the dirt road toward his property in the country. He stopped the truck as he came to the fence. Stay in here, boy, he said to his Irish setter, who was excitedly waiting to explore the field. Brick opened the gate, got back in the truck and pulled onto the property. He stopped the truck, walked around to the other side and opened the door. Alright, Red, you can go run and get some exercise. Go, boy! Red pushed past him, jumped out of the truck and went running through the grass looking for rabbits or birds or anything else he could find. Red was truly enjoying himself, and Brick laughed out loud as he watched the dog running and hunting out in the field.

Brick walked back to the gate to close it, and then meandered on down along the fence a short distance. He looked at the property on the other side of the fence. It had a large burned-out area in the middle of the field where over a year ago a private plane had crashed and caught fire. There was another burn spot where a truck had blown up during the same incident. His thoughts went back to the events that caused this to happen. How did I ever get myself mixed up in all of that? Brick shook his head as he watched Red chase a squirrel. The truth of the matter was, he got involved because his Irish setter grabbed the money bag that was a part of a drug deal which ended in flames and murder.

Brick started thinking about the wonderful people he had met during the past year, and how they helped him fend off the ex-sheriff turned drug dealer who was stalking him. He was staring out at the dry land before him, when he dropped his head as tears started filling his light blue eyes. Oh Helen, he whispered aloud. Never, had he been so in love with someone as he was with Helen. He longed to be able to turn back the hands of time, so he could have rescued Helen before the drug dealer killed her. He remembered holding her lifeless body after she whispered, I love you, with her dying breath. Brick wondered if he would ever find another woman to love as much as he loved Helen. He wasn’t sure he would even want to try.

His thoughts were reminders that no one ever knows what the future holds. And little did Brick know that he would once again face unexpected danger, because of the money that Red found in this field a year ago.

Brick also thought about the events that followed after he came back to Maranda. It was only eight months ago when he decided to run for sheriff and was elected. He was honored to protect the people of his county, and it felt good to be back in his home town with a purpose in his life.

Brick smiled and looked up at the sky just in time to see a red-tailed hawk circling above him, looking for rodents or anything else it could eat in the field below. The hawk majestically rode the thermals with almost no effort as it searched for its next meal, paying little or no attention to Brick or Red. Just then, Red came galloping up and barked. He wanted Brick to come out into the field with him. Brick looked at his watch and realized he had better get Red back in the truck and head to work. It was Wednesday morning, and he had some papers to get ready for the court.

Come on, Red, let’s get back in the truck. You’ve had your exercise for the day. I think you’ve run all over my forty-four acres here. You should be tired out by now. Red reluctantly followed Brick back to the truck and jumped up into the front seat. Brick went to unlock the gate, backed out, closed the gate and locked it. There wasn’t anything on the property for anyone to steal, but it was good to keep the property safe. No telling what someone might do to damage or burn it. He pulled out onto the dirt road and headed back to town.

As he drove along, he thought about the people he hired for the sheriff’s department. There were four deputies: Billy Roy Bryant, George Kimbell, Sam Akins, and Albert Watkins. Billy Roy was new to the business and had just graduated from the police academy. He didn’t seem to be a sharp tack, and Brick felt like it might take a while before Billy Roy got the hang of the job.

George Kimbell came down from Michigan, because he wanted to get out of the cold weather. He had several years experience in the law enforcement field, and Brick thought he would be a great addition to the department. George and his wife, Gloria, both loved Texas now and wanted to start a family in the Lone Star State.

Sam Akins had been a deputy under the previous sheriff, but had resigned because of the questionable activities of Sheriff Mendez. Brick was very happy to have Sam back on the department, and Sam was eager to work for an honest sheriff. His familiarity with the county area and the department’s assets were an immediate help to Brick.

Albert Watkins was a long-time resident of the county who had been working for the Maranda Police Department for four years and had answered Brick’s ad in the local paper for an experienced law enforcement officer. Albert wanted to be a detective and felt like he had too much seniority competition on the police department to achieve his goal, so he decided to go to work for the new sheriff.

Each deputy worked a 10-hour day. Brick put Billy Roy on the day shift where he could keep a close eye on him, assigned George to begin work at mid-morning to help on both day and evening shift, and put Albert on the evening/late night shift so that he could continue his classes in police science at the local junior college.

Sam agreed to cover the other deputies’ days off, with the understanding that, as the department grew, he would be in line to become Chief Deputy.

In addition to the deputies, Brick also hired two ladies for the office: Bonnie Lumpkin and Juanita Hemstead. Bonnie spent three years in the army working as a military police dispatcher and had some law enforcement experience as well. Brick felt like she was a good candidate, but she just had to get over the habit of saluting and calling him, Sir.

He remembered the day she came in for her interview. She had just come through the front door, so he called her into his office. She walked in, snapped to attention, and said Yes, Sir!

Well ma’am it’s not necessary for you to salute me. We don’t have that kind of regimentation here. You can just relax a little.

Yes, Sir, I will do so….Sir. She sat down in the chair in front of his desk.

After reading her resume and listening to her during the interview, Brick said, Well, Bonnie, I think you might fit in real well.

Thank you, Sir. I appreciate it, Sir!

Ah, Bonnie, please don’t call me Sir every time. My name is Brick or you can just call me Sheriff.

Yes, Sir, Sheriff…oh I’m sorry, Sir….it’s just a habit, Sir.

Well, he chuckled, that’s OK. How about reporting the day after tomorrow, and I’ll have your office ready for you?

Thank you, Sir, very much. She almost snapped to attention, then stopped herself.

Brick laughed and said, Old habits are hard to break aren’t they? I’ll see you day after tomorrow at eight o’clock sharp. She smiled, turned around, and left the office as if she were marching. Brick just shook his head and chuckled.

Shortly after Bonnie left, his other office candidate arrived. Juanita was nineteen years old and didn’t have the experience that Brick really wanted, but seemed eager to work for Brick. She made it quite clear during the interview that she really needed a job.

As he looked over her resume, she said with lots of enthusiasm, Sheriff, I know I don’t have any law enforcement experience, but I really would like to work for you, and I think I’d do really well for you in this job. She continued, I’ve worked in an office before, and I make coffee that is out of this world. It’ll turn you loose as a goose".

Brick replied, Well, I’m not sure that’s exactly what I wanted, but I… He changed the subject quickly. You live here in town, right?

Yes, Sir. I live with my mama. My daddy done left us a bunch of years ago, but you know that’s OK, ’cause I don’t care. He didn’t want us, and we didn’t want him.

Brick said, Well, that’s one way to look at it, Juanita.

Yeah, my mama said good riddance to bad stuff, ya know?

Brick put down the resume and thought for a second. She seemed to be a nice lady. Ah, well, I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do, I’m gonna give you a chance to learn the job. You seem to be a bright person, and I think maybe we’ll get along real well.

Juanita jumped up out of her seat almost shouting, Great, Sheriff!! Can I start the job today…this afternoon?

Ah, not this afternoon. Be here the day after tomorrow at eight, and we’ll start training you. I’ll go over some things, and you’ll meet the rest of the people. You’ll also meet Bonnie who will be working with you in the office.

Juanita interrupted Brick. Oh boy, I’ve got friends, huh?

Brick was beginning to wonder if he made the right decision due to her overzealous response. Yes, you’ll have friends.

Oh good, I like people. I like to talk.

Now, there won’t be a lot of talking. You’ll have work to do.

Yes, but I’ll be talking on the phone, won’t I?

Brick nodded his head. Now I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.

Oh thank you so much, Sheriff! She was very excited as she left the office. It looked like he had made her day. Brick smiled. He took her on with reservations that if she couldn’t handle the job, he would have to let her go. So far, he thought, everything was working out just fine.

Brick made the turn and pulled into the parking lot. Another day at the office, he smiled as he and Red got out of the truck and walked into the building. He was pleased that everything seemed to be going well at the office. Both of the ladies proved to be capable. The deputies had proven to be reliable and professional, as well. Everything seemed to be settling down in pretty good shape. Brick smiled and went into his office.

The phone in his office started to ring. Brick picked it up, Sheriff Walls.

Hi, Sheriff, this is Bob.

Hi, Bob, how ya doing? Bob was the local veterinarian and a long time friend of Brick’s.

Are you busy, Sheriff?

Well, not right at this moment. I was just having a cup of coffee. Why don’t you come over and have a cup with me.

Bob seemed pleased with the invitation. Do you mind?

Naw, that’s fine. Brick replied.

Ok, said Bob. I’ll be right over.

Brick hung up the phone, sat back in his chair, and took a sip of coffee. Now, I wonder what Bob wants? He muttered to himself.

In a little while, Bob showed up at the office. Juanita poured him a cup of coffee as he walked into Brick’s office. Good morning, my friend, said Brick as he stood and shook Bob’s hand.

Good morning, Bob said as he sat down in the visitor’s chair at the front of Brick’s desk. Juanita placed his cup of coffee on the desk while the men were talking.

Now what brings you in this fine morning?

Well, Brick, I seem to recall that your birthday is coming up on Saturday. He took a sip of coffee.

"Hmm. You would have to remind me. Here I was trying to forget." They laughed.

Well, I’m thinking we ought to have a party at my place. You can ask your fellow workers and their dates, and I’ll ask a couple of our other friends. We’ll start at around seven o’clock. What do you think?

That’s really nice of you, Bob. It sounds good. What do you need me to do?

I need you to get yourself a date for this shindig. He looked straight at Brick as he took another sip of coffee.

Bob, you know I’m not dating right now.

"Yes, I know, but it’s time you did. There’s more to life than work, Brick.